Photo Gallery | SHS and community honors Dr. Windsor Eagle

SALISBURY - It was fitting that retiring principal Dr. N. Windsor Eagle now has the Salisbury High School athletic complex named in his honor.  It was pointed out at the dedication on Saturday that the passion Eagle felt and the community response that created the complex probably helped save Salisbury High from closure in 2001.

"He never settled, he never felt like he had done enough," said Rowan Salisbury School Board member Bryce Beard.  "He was engaged day to day working in the school.  Today is bittersweet, while we are happy for him, we will miss him."

After 32 years as SHS principal, Eagle stepped down with the conclusion of this school year.  The dedication of the athletic complex on Saturday capped off a season of honors and shows of appreciation from the school and the community.

Mayor Paul Woodson thanked Eagle for both his work in setting a high standard for SHS athletics and academics, pointing out that the school has won 34 state championships in various sports in the last 27 years.

"His commitment to academic success is phenomenal.  SHS is one of the best performing high schools in the nation," Woodson said, citing a recent study by US News & World Report.  "He had a great vision for this high school."

Athletic Director and SHS football coach Joe Pinyan said he thought Eagle's willingness to listen was one of his greatest assets.

"He lives the old saying that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we talk," Pinyan said.  "He never flinches, he beams with strength and passes it on to everything that he does."

SHS PTSA President Shari Graham touted Eagle's commitment to the community.

"We've been blessed to know you and follow your passion," Graham told Eagle.  She then announced that a new scholarship had been established in Eagle's name that would be focused on academics as well as athletics.

For his part, Dr. Eagle was humble, using most of his time to thank the community, school alumni, and various foundations that helped in the creation of the athletic complex that includes a track, tennis courts, a baseball field, softball field, practice field, as well as improvements to the indoor gym.

"I'm honored, I don't know how I will live up to this," Eagle said.  "This has been a great place to work and a great place to be."